One night in Kabayan Hotel

I never tried to spend a night in a hotel sa metro. Yeah really. Poorita ba kamo? hihihi! Ang lapit lang ng San Mateo no! Magiinarte pa ba kong mag hotel hotel. Kahit araw araw akong nag a-out of town, hindi pa rin valid sa mudra ko. Ilan tumbling lang ang distansiya namin sa Quezon City at Marikina e. hihihi! Inez Veneracion si mother pag nag-hotel ako. Baka kung anong isipin. Chos!

Pero may extrang ka-datungan ako last month kaya I tried it finally. Hindi naman super expensive. At hindi rin uber cheap. Kahit nasa kabilang kalsada lang ang Sogo di ko siya pinatulan. hahaha! The rate was just right. I mentioned previously that me and my girls went out for a day off. Kunware pagod na pagod kami sa ice skating kaya dito kami napadpad. Charot. hahaha! I booked in Kabayan Hotel 1 month ahead. Since we're three, I chose their Premium A room which is inclusive of 1 queen size and 1 single bed.  

pic from their website

lobby

We were surprised to see a lot of people in the lobby which is good. It just means they 're doing the right thing.

mga kababayang balikbayan

Check-in was a breeze. I just showed my month old confirmation receipt and paid the remaining dues. By the way, before I reserve, I called them for the rates just to confirm if their site is always updated. I was about to pay it through bank but found out that it would be cheaper if you pay through their website. I got the room for only Php 2,180.00. You just need to pay a reservation fee of Php 192.99 using credit card. If I'm not mistaken, their agent offered it to me at a price of Php 2,850.00. That was 670.00 off. May silbi ang pagiging maurirat at kuripot.

What I like about this hotel is they offer not only complimentary breakfast but also lunch. Great! They also have free airport pickup by the way. As if naman walang ibang gumagawa nun e no. hahaha! But according to my friend, they have regular attendant assigned in NAIA 3 so pickup is not a hassle. They'll be the one to contact you as soon as your plane arrives. You may visit them at the information desk on Arrival deck.

Good advantage of this hotel is the location. Aside from cheap rates, they are centrally located at the heart of Pasay City.  If you're a regular MRT passenger na laging nagra-roundtrip katulad ko, you'll be able to see it just beside MRT Taft station (right side if you're coming from Ayala). As in pagka-park na pagka-park ng train andun na siya... may cute na logo ng magkakahawak kamay. Parang napagtripan lang ng adik. hihihi! Naalala ko tuloy ang drowing ko nung kinder. Anyway, I'll tour you around.. pardon my shots. Underwater ang gamit ko mapa- indoors or outdoors kaya wag laitin ng bonggang bongga.

Quiet. Clean. Scary. (lol!)

We passed by this hallway to our room. I was hoping it's not facing EDSA since I might hear annoying noises na mas maingay pa sakin. Ayaw!

 

Our beds

Hindi ko na maalala kung pano natulog ang isa kahit walang unan. But since the room is only good for two, we didn't asked for it. hihihi! Mahirap na. The rooms were equipped with flat cable TV, Aircon and Hot and Cold shower. Just the usual. Nothing fancy.

Umanggulo lang. Feeling pro. Chos!

The restroom is clean. Plus points for me. Toiletries are available too.

kita ang red stripes mo. Fail

Meet my friends.. Rachelle and Clara.

We slept until 10am and took our breakfast. You can ask them to deliver it to your room. If for an instance you'll be checking out a bit earlier than the check out time, you can ask them to pack it for you. Sweet isn't it? hihihi!

Tag-gutom

This is a family friendly hotel I must say. If I have extra savings, I will definitely spend a night here again. Great value for money. Oh and yeah, it's not only for balikbayans but also for backpackers. If you're coming from the provinces you can consider staying a night here. They also have branches in Cubao and Monumento. Check out the rates I found on their website. www.kabayanhotel.com.ph/

ROOM TYPE	RACK RATE
Family (Quad sharing)	Php 4,536
DeLuxe A (Twin sharing)	Php 3,075
DeLuxe B (Twin sharing)	Php 3,685
Premium A (Twin sharing)	Php 2,850
Premium B (Twin sharing)	Php 3,260
Superior (Twin sharing)	Php 2,595
Pads 2 (Twin)	Php 1,930
Pads 1 (Single)	Php 1,235
Flat 2 (Twin)	Php 1,500
Flat 1 (Single)	Php 950
Dorm (Sextuple sharing)	Php 650
Extra Person	Php 750

This is not a sponsored post. Naghalukay lang ako sa baul ng SD card. hahah! Pero seryoso. Nag-enjoy talaga kami dito. Serbisyong totoo. (by the way, na-bother ako sa "DORM sextuple sharing". Kayo na ang magtanong sa kanila. hahaha!)

Sino si kurapengpeng?

Nakup! Nilangaw na naman ang blog ko. hahaha! Babawi ako this time. Magkkwento ako how I started this blog. I really had a hard time picking the name. Obvious ba? Walang kinalaman sa travel. hahahah! Fail. Anyway, this is not designed for public consumption before so I never really paid attention to make it catchy for readers. "Tara Usap Tau!" is popularized by Boy Abunda sa showbiz oriented talk show na (tapos itatapat niya ang mic sayo at isisigaw mo) "The Buzz!" Bigla ko lang siyang naisip that time. Hahaha! Walang kwenta. Parang utang na loob ko pa tuloy kay Boy Abunda ang lahat. lol!

Schoolmate ko dati si Herbert Hernandez. Do you know him? Shempre hindi. hahaha! Grade 5 ako nun. 3rd year high school siya. He graduated highschool. I was left behind. I learned he became the guitarist of the band Moonstar88. And to my surprise, he got a Summa cumlaude recognition in UST when he graduated in college. Few years have past. Creative Director na siya ngayon sa isang sikat na Advertising Company.  If you know the Cannes 2011 award winning tourism campaign "Limestone" wherein El nido and Thailand are being compared.. he's the guy behind it. Ano ang relasyon namin? Ehem! Oh well...... wala. hahaha! I'm just a fan. Natuwa lang ako kasi may schoolmate akong member ng sikat na band. Wag malisyoso.

I was in first year college when I wrote him a testimonial on his page nung uso pa ang Friendster. Gumagawa na siya ng mga commercial nun. Basta puro kalokohan lang yung sinulat ko e. Nag-pacute lang. hahaha! Landi. It's just about our school, our teachers, etc.. so naka-relate siya ng bongga. Aliw na aliw ang lolo mo. He PMed me and said "..Alam mo, pwede kang writer" Syempre palakpak talaga ang tenga ko. At hindi pa ako nakuntento. Sabi ko "Ayyyii! Di nga?". And he replied back with "Seryoso.. Pwede ka ngang writer." Grabe ang ngiti ko nun. Hanggang likod. hahahah! It was a "Sabit-Sampaguita" moment for me. He ignited the light, and I let it shine. ♫ Coz baby you're a firework ♫ Chos! hahaha!

But I finally convinced myself to write because of the two bloggers I admire. Kala ko kasi may bayad ang pagsusulat nun sa internet kaya hindi ko tina-try. hihihi! Shongak lang. Both of them are my former office mates. One is C2 and the other one is Chyng.

Christoper Tano aka c2 is the blogger behind dearpapachris.blogspot.com pero hindi na nai-maintain dahil nagkasakit din siya sa bato tulad ko... Batugan. hihi! Yung blog niya, parang Bob Ong series, na favorite writer ko naman, kaya tanggal stress ko pag binabasa ko yun. Medyo may pagka-malisyoso lang. Polusyon talaga ang idinulot sa inosente kong isipan. hahaha!

I scanned my first few entries just now and somehow it made me smile. I felt the eagerness of a newbie. The passion is so obvious. hihihi! But sadly I realized.. the attitude is quickly fading. For the record, hindi pa umabot ng bente ang entries ko for this year. Kamusta naman yun. hahaha! It served as my diary before.. Pampalipas oras.. Stress-reliever.. Shock-absorber.. Doodle.. Scratch... Pero infairness, kahit minsan mala-precious hearts romances siya pinagtiyagaan ng friend kong basahin. hihihi! (Ang sweet mo Oyise!). Nanette Imbentor ang drama ko nun. Some of the stories I wrote originated from my dreams. Yup, napapanaginipan ko lang kaya mostly bitin. Blame it to the annoying alarm clock. Gusto niyo ng sample... Read this.

Dukha ako nun. I don't have a regular job so wala akong funds para mag-travel. Alangan naman ikwento ko na lang lagi ang eksena sa MRT tuwing pumapasok ako, kung gano kabaho ang mga tao sa araw araw, kung gano ko kinamumuhian ang madikit sa brasong malagkit at puno ng pawis, kung gano ko kinasusuklaman ang mga sumisingit sa pila, at kung gano ko itinatakwil ang mga taong papasok-pasok sa MRT tapos magiinarte na masikip ito. Disgust Abelgus. Hay naku talaga! hahah! Ang init ng ulo?

Naging stable ang job ko. I had a few trips. I came across my friend's travel blog, si Chyng. Uhm.. meron pa bang hindi nakakakilala sa kanya?! She's my former officemate too. Hindi pa siya blogger nung nagkasama kami. Sabi ko nga nun sa kanya, kung alam ko lang na sisikat siya nagpa-autograph na ko nun pa. hahaha! Then I started writing my own travel stories. My style eventually adapted the title "Tara Usap Tau" accidentally. Pag nagsusulat kasi ako, para lang nakikipag chismisan sa kanto. Walang rules. Walang format. Walang exceptions. Kaya kahit anong topic nasa blog ko na. Kulang na lang magtinda ako dito e. hahaha! (nga pala, nagpapaload ako.. load kayo diyan. hihihi!)

Ang sexy ko dati no? kainis! hahaha!

I admire those who can write and speak English fluently. I tried it before and I'm not comfortable with it. It's not me so why pretend. Just like this paragraph. It took me 6 minutes to complete it. E pag tagalog... Ang bilis. Parang haching lang. Bat ko ba pahirapan ang sarili ko no. Baka nga sa ikli nito may mali pa e. hahaha!

Naging seryoso talaga ako sa blogging when Ondoy washed out my precious Sagada pictures. Oo.. chura kong to. Seryoso na ko nyan. hahahah! (may problema kayo?! hmp!) Napunta ako noon sa kumunoy ng kalungkutan nung hindi nai-akyat sa mataas na lugar ang mga album ko. Lugmok na lugmok ako habang pinupulot sila isa isa. ("larawang kupas" on cue) Kaya simula nun, lahat ng lakad ko dinodocument ko na dito. I really don't care if someone will read it or not. I just need to write it down because it's what makes me happy. And I thank those who made my blog their stress reliever too. I truly appreciate it.

Alam kong wala sa mga sinabi ko ang pinakahihintay ng lahat. hahah! Gusto nyo ng malaman kung san ko napulot si kurapengpeng hindi ba? hihihi! The story came from my cousin. He arrived one afternoon sa dorm. He started telling this funny story while we were eating. This was told by his officemate before they went home. Nawalan ako ng ganang kumain pagkatapos. hahah! Ang programang ito ay rated SPG. May maseselang tema, eksenang karahasan, droga, lenggwahe, SEKSWAL at katatakutang maaring hindi angkop para sa mga batang manonood.. Striktong Patnubay at Gabay ng magulang ang kailangan. Humanda na.. (Sh*t! sira ang dangal ko dito. hahaha!)

There's this one newly born ant. Yes. Langgam. The poor creature was abandoned by his parents so he doesn't know anything. And I mean the word anything. Mang-mang siya talaga. Pag may nasasalubong siya ganito ang eksena..

Minsan isang umaga nakasalubong niya ang lamok..

Ant: Oy! Oy! Oy! Ano ka?
Lamok: Gusto mong malaman kung ano ako?
Ant: Obvious ba?

Lamok: Makipag-sex ka muna sakin.
At ayun na nga ang ginawa nila... hayun. Nagpakilala ang langgam

Walang ano ano'y nakasalubong niya ang surot..

Ant: Psst! Ano ka?
Surot: Gusto mong malaman kung ano ako?
Ant: Oo!
Surot: Makipag-sex ka muna sakin.
Ganun din ang ginawa nila kaya nakilala niya ang surot

Nakasalubong niya ang anay.. (Oo pati anay.. lahat ata ng pesteng nagkalat nasalubong niya.)

Ant: Ano ka?
Anay: Gusto mo malaman kung ano ako?
Ant: Ano ba kayong lahat.. bingi?!?! ulit ulit?! OO nga sabi!
Anay: hihihi! Makipag-sex ka muna sakin.
As usual gumawa sila ng milagro.. kaya nakilala niya ang anay.

Hanggang sa nakasalubong niya ang kurapengpeng... :)

_______________________________________________________________________________

This is my entry to PTB Blog Carnival for July 2012 - 

The Journey that made us a Travel Blogger

hosted by Edmar Gu-Quibb of Edmaration Etc

Day off with Indays

Nakalimutan kong blogger ako when me and my girls went out last week. hhihihi! Inaantay antay ko pa naman talaga to kasi I was in kuracha mode for the past weeks dahil sa endless deadline ko sa office. And I desperately need a break. :) Ayun na nga, nung nandun na finally, I forgot to take good pictures, and I failed to take down notes on every detail. Ganun ata talaga pag naliligayahan ng wagas. hahaha! While I'm in amnesia mode, let me share na lang how happy I am when with I'm with my closest buddies. Give me time to remember everything. hahaha!

Ako siyempre, Rachelle (na Yellow na lang ang kulang, bandila na) and Clara (the scene stealer)

We went to MOA to fulfill our childhood dream - ice skating. hihihi! Yup. Nakakahiya man sabihin but it was our first time to try it. Nag-uugat na kami sa Manila pero ngayon lang kami naglakas loob subukan to. We felt like we were kids all over again. hihihi! Clara was left outside. Kesyo may pinagdadaanan daw siya. Anyway, mabuti na rin yun. If it wasn't for Aunt Flow kuno, wala kaming picture. She became our yaya for a while. Tagabitbit ng gamit at taga picture sa labas. hahaha! Hindi ko itinaya ang buhay ng camera ko sa loob dahil siguradong ikamamatay niya. 

The wall flowers. bwahahaha!

Sayang ang Php 390.00 ko kaya sinumpa ko talagang hindi ako aalis ng hindi natututo. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit sa lamig ng lugar na yun, e nanlilimahid ako at pawis na pawis paglabas ng rink. Nag-lawa talaga ang kili-kili ko. hahaha! Winner the Pooh ang kili-kiling yan. lol! Dyahe na dinadaan-daanan ka lang ng mga bata habang gumagapang ka na. That awkard moment. I thought it would be that easy. Someone told me if you know how to bike, skating is a breeze. Leche! Afraidie Aguilar ako pagtapak ko dun hanggang sa pag alis. hahaha! Spell d-i-s-a-s-t-e-r. Sirang sira ang dangal at puri ko kaya I decided to leave after struggling for 2 hours.

We dine out in Yakimix. Fine, I treat them half of the price because of a special favor which I won't reveal here. hihihi! Thank you girls! I let them be the first one to get what they want. I was surprised to see all raw foods on their plate. Hindi pa ata gutom. I returned with ready to eat meals like tempura (if all else fails), all sort of maki, soup and few unknown dishes. Ayun, namatay sila sa inggit. Sila nagluluto pa lang, ako na-eempacho na sa dami ng nakain. hahaha! They thought all dishes must be cooked kaya hindi na nag-abala pang mag hanap ng luto na. Epic Fail. hahaha!

Note: Naubos nila yan dahil sa pananakot ng YAKIMIX sa leftover fee.. nagngingitngit at tumataginting na 799.00. Normal rate is 650.00. Sino bang hindi masisindak dun..

Gumagapang na kaming umalis. lol! I can't remember the last time I ate that way. PG kung PG.

We booked a night in a cheap hotel in Pasay. Ano nga bang pwedeng gawin sa hotel ng hindi kasama ang boylet? (chos!) Cam whoring. Hay! Matutulog na lang. My friend Rachelle instantly became our director. Pangarap niya yan.. lol! Salamat sa free Acting Workshop. Dun niya na-realize na hanggang pangarap nga lang talaga yun. bwahahahahah!

Practice muna..

Take 1: Surprise!

Take two: Yung parang aanga-anga lang...

Sabi ko mag pa-cute! Hindi mag mukang nalugi.. ^_^

Rachelle: Hay naku Maki, sino ba tong isang to? Di marunong umarte

We availed the 2 complimentary breakfast and lunch. Yep, they also have free lunch. Isn't it wonderful? hihihi! I must say the Php 2,180.00 is super sulit. They also offer airport pickup by the way. Wala lang. Ok fine it's Kabayan Hotel. hihihihi! And this is not a sponsored post mind you. Asa Seguerra?!!

Next day came, we headed to Pansol, Calamba. Uhm.. kailangan ko pa bang sabihin kung bakit? hihihi!I chose Rockpoint Hotel kasi nag #1 siya sa Tripadvisor. Since it's a Sunday, there were no other guests when we arrived. Pwede kaming magtaguan at tumambling sa corridor. It would be better if rain poured down that day. Mas ma-aappreciate ko ang hot spring nila. Sumakit tuloy ulo ko. kainis! hahah!

Front desk

Standard Room (hot and cold shower, cable tv, aircon)

Another reason why I chose this hotel..

I spent long hours in the tub. Hindi naman obvious na nag-enjoy ako e no? lol! All of the rooms have it. For the executive rooms, they have jacuzzi pa nga. Kuntento na kami sa bath tub lang. Hirap na hirap tuloy akong mag pa-bubbles. Simot na ang shampoo wala pa rin. Namuti lang yung tubig. Kala mo may binanlawan lang na damit. hahaha!

eww lang

Hotel's Restaurant

I would recommend their Sisig and Garlic Cream Pasta. Hindi sumakit ang batok ko infairness. lol! I'm not sure if you could request to just eat inside the room. Medyo hindi lang kasi kaaya aya ang amoy dito. Yun lang. Wala akong masabi as staff. They're all great and attentive. Pogi points. hihihih!

Amenities

But wait... there's more! Come next day, from Calamba we went to all the way to Nasugbu, Batangas. Kami na ang hayok sa biyahe. haha! Ang sakit sa pwet ng pinag-gagawa namin. I got a deal from Ensogo. March pa lang naka reserve na kami. hihihi! Excited much?

Since I don't know how to drive yet, (Yup. Zac just turned 1 last month but I still can't drive him myself), I just asked directions from my cousin in Calamba. There are vans at the city terminal going to Robinson's Dasmariñas. From there, there are vans and buses to Nasugbu. So yun na.

I told you. Walang matinong picture. lol! I've been to Canyon Cove not once, but twice (and now thrice.) Every visit is memorable for me. I had fun on those three but I consider the last one the best. hihiihi!

I may not be blogging for how many days now, but I promise I will try my best to catch up. Sayang I want to join the Carnival pa naman. Tsk! Next time ulit. I will post more detailed entry each for the succeeding days don't worry. hihiihi! Kailangan ko lang mag pa sponsor ng memo plus gold. Chos!

Usapang Fieldtrip

It's been a while since I last shared a few bits of my childhood years. Madalas ko siyang ikwento because I really enjoyed that phase of my life. I grew up in the province kaya walang kalatoy-latoy ang kwento ng mga batang manilenyo sakin. lol! Gusto ko sana ikwento lahat kaya lang baka mainggit kayo kaya portion na lang. Charotlot de leon! hahah!

Kakasabi ko lang na sa probinsiya ako lumaki pero ang kwentong ito ay nung ipinatapon na ko sa Dapitan at ikinulong ng mga gwardiya sibil upan makadaupang palad ang mga damuhong prayle. :) Chos! hahah! Dinala na ko sa Manila ng parents ko para mag-aral. At naranasan kong makisalamuha sa mga mahaharot at spoiled brat na teenyboppers. Imbyernadette Sembrano araw araw! Hay! 

I was in 4th grade when I first joined my classmates sa field trip. Ang hindi raw kasi sumama maiiwan sa school at maggagawa ng project na sobrang hirap at tipong hindi mo na gugustuhing maiwan pa kahit kelan. Kaya kahit amoy pa lang ng bus sukang suka na ko, pinilit kong sumama baon baon ang sang-katerbang plastic(in case of emergency) at white flower ointment. I really can't image myself I will end up as lakwatsera today. hihihi!

The whole class will occupy 1 bus each. At dahil Azucarera de La Carlota aketch, dun ako lagi sa may unahan. Kulang na lang ikandong ako sa drayber. Ayaw nila akong katabi. hahaha! Daig ko pa ang may ketong. Leche sila!

I belong to the first group believe it or not

Introvert ako nun kaya hilig ko lang mag-observe sa mga kalokohan ng iba. Hindi ko feel makisali at hindi naman ikagaganda ng buhay ko ang pinag-gagawa nila. Bitter Ocampo? hahah!

1. Uso pa ang walkman nun. At dahil bawal siya sa school, sikat na sikat ka pag meron ka nun sa fieldtrip. May nadekwat ako sa bahay. Luma siya at tipong hindi na pwedeng ipagmalaki pero gumagana pa naman. Ayun dinumog pa rin ako. Ang bababaw ng kaligayahan... sabi ko sa sarili ko. hahaha! Moment in time yun.. Make it shine. :)

2. Paramihan ng baon. Dumating ang mga classmate ko na halos hindi magkanda-dala sa dami ng dalang plastic bag, coleman at lunchbox. Huli ko ng nalaman na pinababaunan din nila ang mga teacher namin. Alam na alam mo kung sino ang mga nagigipit sa grade.

3. Uso ang pringles. Lahat ata ng bata pinapabaunan ng ganun at pinagpapasapasahan sa bus. Sabi ng nanay ko uso din naman ang peewee. Kaya peewee na lang ang sa akin. Well at least daw wala akong kaagaw at kahit ata ipasa ko sa iba yun e makakabalik pa rin siya ng kumpleto ang laman. hihihi! Ang galing ng convincing powers ni mama. Nakalimutan kong ang presyo ng pringles ay katumbas ng tone-toneladang peewee.

4. Kapag nasa highway na, hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit binebelatan ng mga baliw kong kaklase ang mga tao sa kabilang bus. Parang mga na-ita at ngayon lang nakalabas ng lungga nila.

5. Tayo sila ng tayo at lakad ng lakad sa bus. Pa-Impress Schuck?!?! Gustong maging kundoktora paglaki?!

6. Sadista ang mga teacher ko. Binibigyan pa rin kami ng assignment habang nasa fieldtrip. hihihi! Isulat lahat ng makikita at matututunan mo. Kaya paglabas pa lang ng school grounds, makikita mo na na may Don Pids School Supplies, Pagcor Inc, Guard Post, Aling Meding Sari Sari Store, Fish ball cart, Waiting Shade, Pedicab, Pedicab Driver, poopoo, weewee (char. hahah!) on their notebooks. Literal lang?! hahah! 

7. Pumunta kami sa Enchanted Kingdom. yihiii! Perstaym ko yun. Sabi ng mga teachers bawal daw sakyan ang Jungle Log Jam at Space Shuttle kundi principal's office kami. Nagtiis kami na wag itong sakyan at hiluhin na lang ang mga sarili sa flying fiesta, chubibo at carousel. Nainis kami ng makita naming basang-basa ang damit ng adviser namin sa katanghaliang tapat. 

8. Hindi pwedeng hindi ka uuwi ng walang souvenir kundi mamamatay ka sa inggit sa mga kaklase mo. Mayayaman ang mga brat na yun. Niransak nila ang souvenir shop ng EK na parang yun na ang una't huling bisita nila dun.

9. May class president na lagi kang sasawayin pag wala ka na sa katinuan mo. Ke Field trip pa yan o hindi, damang dama pa rin niya ang posisyon. Hmp! Siya rin ang naaatasang magbilang ng mga kaklase pag pabalik na sa bus. Na-bother talaga kami noon kasi may nawala kaming classmate. Kami na lang naiwan sa parking. Nakabalik siya after 10,000 years AD.  

10. Habang pauwi, kahit nadaanan na ang bahay mo, hindi ka pa rin ibababa ng bus. Matanggal na ang litid mo sa leeg kaka-para. Pagoda Tragedy na nga, pasaway pa si manong. Dapat daw sa school ang babaan ng lahat. Hanggang ngayon hindi ko pa rin alam ang rason kung bakit ganun ang trip niya.

If I sound bitter, that would be because I am. Hahah! Chos Groban! Di naman masyado. I'm not sure if other kids experienced it in the other schools they're in. Kanya kanyang trip yan e. Kanya kanyang level ng ka-weirduhan. lol! 

Yey! I'm excited for my next trip this weekend. For now, ganito na lang muna. hihihi! Wala na kong backlogs e. Sana magustuhan nyo. If I know may mga nakaka-relate din. Lalo na kung ka-schoolmate kita. hahah!

Daranak Falls: Ang tunay na Tourist Spot

I rarely travel within my hometown since I don't know if there is one place I can really be proud of. I'm always telling my friends to "love your own" pero ako mismo hindi. :$

I saw a picture of my mom and my brother in Daranak falls about 10 years ago, which I got envious definitely. It's a company outing then. My mom told me I was either in Baguio or Bulacan during that time that's why she only brought my kuya. (Note: I always spend my summer vacation either in both places. Never in Rizal. hihihi!)

Zac, my baby, will turn 1 at the end of May (OMG! Has it been a year already?) We're planning a road trip to Ilocos or Bicol back then but until now, it remain as a plan pa rin. And I don't think we can make it happen soon. Mother's day came kaya, walang kaabog-abog, we planned the day before. I texted my kuya, who is now residing in Laguna, to come home for a day trip. Anyway, when was the last time since we traveled together as a family.

Barbeque, Spaghetti, Gardenia Bread, Ensaladang Mangga at Mango Juice - everything was prepared by my mom. Kami na ang walang kwentang anak pag mother's day. Hahaha! Then we went... Tara! Ligo tayo!

Refreshing Daranak Falls

I just love chasing the water falls. It has the power to rejuvenate me. I always feel I am one with nature. I feel the serenity within.... 

But not this time. Take a look on what's happening on the surface.

Hala! Anyare?!!?!?!

Outing. It's more fun in the Philippines. Agree?

Tourist spot ba kamo?

Being in different parts of the Philippines searching for pristine beaches, breath-taking underwater world, serene lakes, majestic falls, or just a charming spot to spend a day, this is really way beyond what I'm looking for. However, the experience was something different. Real. If you think I didn't dare join these people, you're wrong. Ako pa! E usisera ako. hihihih!

box office ang platform?

My younger brother is busy looking for life buoy since the shop always ran out of stocks. Everyone wants to go near the falls but like me, not everyone knows how to swim. Fail. hihihi! My kuya can swim so he can tell that the depth is immeasurable. E di siya na. hahaha! It was fun swimming with them (kung swimming bang maituturing ang pagtalon-talon lang sa pwesto. lol!)

Ang classic lang ng feeling. Just like the good old times when my family, together with my other relatives, made a lot of memories in the nearby river sa Province namin. I don't know if you have heard of "Bakas". It was featured in Korina Sanchez' show before. Kinukuha daw ng ilog na yun ang mga dayo. Ang choosy! Scary? Yes, since the usual conversation goes "kinuha na si ____, sino na kaya ang susunod na alay?" Kaloka talaga. hahaha!

Ang sikip ng mundo Ate Charo

Nakakatuwa kasi whenever someone attempts to jump from the platform, the crowd screams "tatalon na yan! tatalon na yan!" just like in showtime. hahaha! I remember may isang bading na gusto rin makitalon kaya lang narealize niyang hindi pala niya kaya.. aatras na sana siya pero huli na ang lahat...ayun tinulak siya. Pagod na kasi siguro ang tao kakasigaw at humahaba na ang pila ng madlang people. hahaha! Mga adik lang.

kuya, mama, me, kevin (kung sino pa ang babae, siya pang ulikba. hmp!)

After ten years of struggling to reach the falls, we managed to climb the rocks para lang mag pose. Babala! Ang mga susunod na larawan ay lubhang nakaka-umay. ^_^ Patnubay ng magulang ay kailangan.

My un-kabogable mama with my younger brother

Walang kwenta ang diet ko!

If you were able to reach this part, salamat. Peace mama. Ginusto mo yan. hahahah! What I didn't like about the place? Marami. Isa isahin natin.

1. Makalat (for obvious reason.. natural, marami ang magkakalat e)
2. Walang Crowd Control. Kahit wala ng lamesa sa loob, pinapapasok pa rin nila ang mga tao.
3. Walang matinong shower area. Ok na sakin yung poso lang, basta may lugar na pwedeng pag shower-an kahit hindi enclosed.
4. May CR pero apat na cubicle lang. San nila balak isisiksik ang nuknukan ng daming tao na yan? Mag-aasin talaga ang wiwi mo.
5. Walang patubig like lababo man lang na may gripo. Ni pang hugas ng kamay, kakailanganin mo pang pumunta sa CR na box office.

Hayz! This place can be as beautiful as it is 10 years ago if only the people took care of it. If I would be asked if I'm going to recommend it? You already know my answer.

Rock Balancing (Rating then and now)

The reason for my sentiments...

Sino bang hindi dudumugin sa ganitong halaga?

Woot! There's a whole lot more

I was surprised to see this poster just in front of the path way to Daranak. I'm missing a lot of great spots which I think rarely visited by tourists. I did a little research and found out you can reach those places by hiking. I'm not fit to try that strenuous activity (or should I say tamad lang.) You knew I cannot carry myself anymore. I had health issues before and I don't want to go back to the times wherein medicines are like candies to me.

If you were able to reach one of those, please feel free to make kwento... I'd love to hear it.

The part I hated the most... How to get there portion. hahaha! May sa pusa ako kaya hindi ko tanda kung pano kami nakarating. But I can google it for you, kaya naman....

Following the Manila East Road, a fork ensues: take the left turn – it is a fast lane to Laguna. From Antipolo, Tanay is a one-hour drive. The turning point is 3 kilometers from the start of Brgy. Plaza Aldea (a sign marks the spot). From there is another 0.5 km of driving; parts of the road are not cemented. Click here for the source.

If you are traveling by commute, here's how. You can a ride a Jeep or Passenger Van going to Tanay in Edsa Central or Star Mall Shaw, and the last stop of it is in Tanay Town Market. From Tanay Market, you can ride a Trike (a three wheel jeepney) or a tricycle going to Daranak Falls, you have also to negotiate with the trike driver to pick-up you on the time that you want to leave the Daranak Falls since there was no transport available coming back to the Tanay Town Market. I suggest to you to ride a Trike rather that a Tricycle because the tricycle cannot bring you at the Gate of the Daranak falls, and you will have to take a 6-10 minutes walk before you can be at the Entrance Gate. Click here ulit for the source.